The Au Gres-Sims School District

Hello AGS Nation!

This week, AGS focused on the character strength of Forgiveness!

Forgiveness is the ability to let go of anger, resentment, and the desire to get even when someone has hurt or disappointed us. It does not mean that what happened was okay or that we have to forget it. Instead, forgiveness allows us to learn from mistakes, rebuild relationships, and move forward in a positive way.

In school, forgiveness helps create a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment. In our community, forgiveness brings people together. In life, forgiveness gives us the opportunity to grow. Holding on to anger can weigh us down, while forgiveness helps us find peace and focus on what comes next.

Ultimately, forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength. It takes courage to let go of resentment, accept that people are imperfect, and choose a better path forward.

The Wolverine Way: We will not always agree, and we will not always get things right. What matters is how we respond when things go wrong. By practicing forgiveness, we can build a stronger school, a more connected community, one relationship at a time.

Go Wolverines!

Building off our focus last week on targeted supports, we want to highlight how those same tailored strategies can apply to math instruction. When students receive targeted math support or intervention, the focus isn't just on doing "more problems", it centers on building a deep, conceptual understanding through clear foundational building blocks:

• Number Sense & Counting: Recognizing numbers, understanding quantities, and seeing relationships between numbers (like making 10 or breaking numbers apart).

• Fact Fluency & Strategies: Moving beyond memorization by using visual models and mental strategies (such as doubling or using friendly benchmark numbers) so solving problems feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

• Problem Solving & Reasoning: Applying math concepts to real-world situations, explaining reasoning, and breaking down multi-step word problems.

You can make a big difference at home through quick, everyday activities that make math visual and practical. Try involving your child in cooking by having them measure ingredients, asking them to mental-math total items while shopping, or playing quick counting and card games (like "Make 10" or "War"). Asking your child to "show you how they solved it" or explain their thinking helps build confidence, reinforces their classroom learning, and shows them that math is a useful tool they use every day.

As the weather turns colder, keeping up strong school attendance becomes even more important and sometimes a bit more challenging. Consistent daily attendance keeps students connected to their learning, teachers, and peers, helping them build steady routines and momentum. To help keep your family healthy and ready for school throughout the cooler months, consider these simple daily strategies:

• Prioritize Sleep & Nutrition: A consistent bedtime routine and balanced meals help keep young immune systems strong and resilient.

• Practice Good Hand Hygiene: Encourage regular handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coming home from school or public places.

• Layer Up for the Weather: Dressing in warm layers, coats, hats, and gloves helps students stay comfortable during outdoor recess and morning travel.

Establishing predictable morning and evening routines makes getting to school on time much easier, ensuring your child doesn't miss out on vital instructional time.

Seniors:

• Scholarship opportunities are emailed to school email weekly and local scholarships will become available in early spring.

• Seniors and parents, Jostens will be here to provide Cap and Gown and other graduation goods ordering packets to them on October 20, 2026.

• FAFSA is now Open, as of October 1st, and we will have two FAFSA nights to support the students and parents with this process. Completing the FAFSA is a graduation requirement, if you have questions please reach out via email or stop in the office.

MS/HS:

• We will start working in Xello in grades 6-12 through the winter and then Education Development Plans (EDPs) will start in the spring.

Reach Out Any Time!

My door is always open. If your student needs extra support, or if you simply have a question, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone, email, or by stopping by the counseling office. Emailing is the fastest way to reach me as my voicemail box will not accept voicemails. (cardinala@ags-schools.org)

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet!

Ashley Cardinal